Amanda was Course Leader for the bachelor’s degree programmes in Primary Education from 2010 - 2014.  In response to the Donaldson Report, Teaching Scotland’s Future, she was responsible for overseeing the development of the BA (Hons) Primary Education programme which is part of the Humanities and Social Sciences framework for undergraduate students at the University.  This replaced the internationally recognised BEd programme at Strathclyde.

Amanda also has a keen interest in the School of Education’s international work. After a trip to China in 2018, she worked with Dr. Alan Huang and Dr. Iain Moore to develop the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Inernational). This online iPGCE programme has attracted international teachers from across the globe. https://www.strath.ac.uk/courses/postgraduatetaught/ipgce/ She travelled to Lahore, Pakistan in 2018 to launch a new Postgraduate Certificate in Educational Issues and Impact developed in partnership with the Crescent Model School.  She has been instrumental in enhancing opportunities for students to study and undertake practicum outwith the UK, particularly in the Netherlands, Sweden and Ireland. She has travelled to Malawi and Egypt to work with university partners to deliver professional development training and to support course design for initial teacher education.

Amanda had been nominated in a range of categories over the past three years at the annual Student Association Teaching Excellence Awards.  She was presented with the award of Most Supportive Teacher in the University of Strathclyde in 2011 and 2013.  In 2014 she gained the University award of Strathclyder of the Year.

Amanda is a member of the General Teaching Council for Scotland.

Amanda has presented her work on teacher education, devolved leadership, university outreach and student-led professional development at a range of professional conferences over many years, including conferences hosted by Education Scotland; the Irish National Teachers Organisation; the Department for International Trade; Universities’ Council for the Education of Teachers; Holyrood - Teacher Education; The Higher Education Academy - Enhancement Themes; Association for Chartered Teachers in Scotland (ACTS).

Amanda is currently a doctoral student in the School of Education. On the EdD programme she is researching asset-based approaches to supporting teacher education. Her research project casts adults with experience of exclusion from school as experts in the creation of knowledge and the development of resources that will be used for teacher professional development. 

Her work with students to promote a culture of creativity and to provide wide ranging opportunities for student-led professional development activities has been described as ‘sector leading’ by external stakeholders. 

• Course development: pedaogogy, student support, assessment
• Leadership in Higher Education

• Member of the writing group that developed the current Professional Standards for teachers in Scotland (The General Teaching Council for Scotland, 2013)

• Course Review - internal, national  and international

• International Course Development - Malawi, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, China

• Promotion of student-led professional development
• Working with marginalised groups to support the education of teachers

•             Pedagogy and preparation for placement

•             Reflective practice

•             Academic Study Skills

•             Working with marginalised groups - addiction, crimial justice system